Fedex DX

[DX Jake]

Any Fedex dispatchers here? If so, please pm me.

Thanks.

 

[Starbuck]

Are you a FED X Dispatcher

 

[SKC]

Are you a FED X Dispatcher

Look below his name.

 

[SKC]

On the FedEx note...wouldn't their trucks that say "FedEx Express" actually be Federal Express Express? Hmmmm. (I know they're not Federal Express anymore, yada, yada)

 

[DX Jake]

starbuck, no, I'm at SWA...

I got a call the other day at work that a fedex dispatcher wanted to ride on us from bna to phx. The gate agent was a little unsure about them being allowed to jumpseat, as was the captain, and I quickly cleared up that he could go. Ironically, when I called the "jumpseat desk" at fedex last summer, the rep. clearly stated that dispatchers were excluded from jumping on fedex, even if I was in CASS. This is the reason I asked if any fedex dispatchers were on here.

P.S. I will continue to push for any dispatcher wanting to ride on swa. It is clearly stated in our FOM. Thanks, and happy traveling.

 

[crjdxr]

I was able to jump SWA from BHM to MCO, many moons ago (I'm talking pre-9/11 moons ago). The gate agents and Captain were wonderful. The F/O was flying that leg and didn't say much.

The mostest bestest part was somewhere over FL; the Captain looks back at me grinning like a kid, says "check this out", and proceedes to show me the ins and outs of the HUD. One of the F/A's kept bringing me Cokes - she didn't ask if I wanted them, she just handed 'em to me.

Great ride and experience to a (then) novice dxr. Thanks SWA!

 

[propsarebest]

FEDEX AND UPS dispatchers are not allowed in our jumpseat cause they don't let other 121 dispatchers on their jumpseat, period.

 

[DX Jake]

crjdxr... glad to hear we treated ya well... if you ever need to check the sked or loads... plz pm me...

props... are you sure about that... this is the reason for me starting this thread to begin with... is that written over at fedex in their policy... if so... them jumping on us is "not cool".

 

[405]

Props is correct about FDX, Jake. I don't know about UPS.

 

[propsarebest]

Props is correct about FDX, Jake. I don't know about UPS.

I am 100% sure about UPS... We are flying peak season for them this year, 7 airplanes. I was going to jumpseat on them PDX-SDF then catch one of our birds, but they said no, no dispatchers allowed.

 

[DX Jake]

I am 100% sure about UPS... We are flying peak season for them this year, 7 airplanes. I was going to jumpseat on them PDX-SDF then catch one of our birds, but they said no, no dispatchers allowed.

Ouch. OK. I didn't know any of that. I wasn't sure about fedex, but I thought "brown" was ok. We get numerous calls from Louisville, and were always under the impression the agreement was reciprocal.

 

[SKC]

Maybe the UPS restriction is a holiday thing because I know that dispatchers in CASS, with a reciprocal agreement, can jump on UPS.

 

[dispatchguy]

Yeah, it must in the FOM at SWA that they have to treat jumpseaters like were a king or something

Not that I mind, mind you I LUV jumpseating on SWA. Whenever I ride, I always ask for a seat in first class

I have had only one negative experience, with an ops agent at MCI, but the crews (and all the other ops agents I've met jumpseating) have been top notch.

 

[bcp7]

DX Jake - is a reciprocal agreement and/or CASS required for dispatchers to jump seat at Southwest. Our J/S coordinator at Cargo 360 on the pilot side has not had any success getting a reciprocal agreement with SWA.

We have all the CASS carriers that consider participation as a reciprocal agreement, which is mostly some of the ACMI outfits, JetBlue and United.

 

[flyjumpseat]

SkyWest jumpseat agreement page says:

UPS (5X) **NO DISPATCHERS**
NORTHWEST AIRLINES (NW)*NO DISPATCHERS*

The FEDERAL EXPRESS (FX) line does not indicate dispatchers included or not, leading us to believe we/they are included. FedEx used to be a nice option for me, MNL-HKG but I haven't even called to ask about it since 9-11 since I believe international flights are not available for jumpseaters anyway. MNL-NRT on Northwest would be nice also, but again there's that "NO DISPATCHERS" issue along with it being an international flight.

We, the SkyWest dispatch association, are trying to gather some info about how the agreements can be corrected. The process is moving very slowly.
Here's the thing, the agreements are ambiguous. Most don't actually state that DISPATCHERS are included or excluded, so it ends up at the discretion of:
#1-the gate agent, to even let us talk to the pilots.
#2-the pilots, who 99.9% of the time welcomes dispatchers aboard.

Over the past few years, there are some that have been amended/renewed to include us dispatchers. But we don't have access to them for reference and verification. WE SHOULD NEVER GET INTO ARGUMENTS REGARDING JUMPSEAT ACCESS, but if the gate agents and/or pilots are simply uninformed regarding procedures or authorized persons it would be nice to have the references.

Let me say this again: WE SHOULD NEVER GET INTO ARGUMENTS REGARDING JUMPSEAT ACCESS.

That statement is, from what little information I've been able to find and possibly is just rumor, the very reason the agreement with Northwest says "NO DISPATCHERS". The info I heard is that somehow a Northwest dispatcher bumped a Northwest pilot for the observation seat, to which the pilot took his complaint to the pilot union, which got dispatchers everywhere banned unless doing their FAA required 5 hours per type, yadda yadda yadda.

Since dispatchers are (at this time) not allowed at the jumpseat conferences held every 6 months or so, we have no representation. Unless one or more of the pilot group jumpseat coordinators are willing to help clear up the ambiguity, jumpseating as a dispatcher will continue to remain a mystery of trial and error.

We'd like to help fix what is broke, (ie, UPS/Northwest) and clarify the qualifications/authorizations for those of us dispatchers that do travel here and there. Sitting at a gate watching a flight depart after getting denied, and especially knowing there are empty seats, is frustrating.

So with approximately 2725 pilots and 100 dispatchers here at SkyWest, we dispatchers represent only 3.54% of the POTENTIAL jumpseaters from SkyWest. Factor out the dispatchers who never travel and we're down to about 1.17% of the total POTENTIAL jumpseaters from SkyWest.

Now take all the pilots and all the dispatchers in the country and do your own math. We dispatchers represent such a minority of jumpseaters, the possibility of us bumping a pilot on a full flight for the observation seat is slim. So what is the problem? It is usually an empty seat, and we are qualified and authorized by the FAA and individual companies to occupy the observation seat. Why is it so hard to get past the gate agents? Because they don't know where to look for authorization, or the authorization is too vague. CASS was supposed to eliminate that, but there are still companies that require 'the reciprocal agreement' in addition to CASS. So they look us up in CASS but when they see DISPATCHER on our ID, they don't know what to do.

Sorry DX Jake, I wasn't trying to hijack your thread. But it was your comment "The gate agent was a little unsure about them being allowed to jumpseat, as was the captain..." that got me started. All we want to do is help clear up the confusion.

Out of the 8 years I have been dispatching, I only remember three hiccups in trying to hitch a ride. One was my own airline (SkyWest) which I attribute to a gate agent training issue, one was another company pilot/flight (which I will leave as anonymous), and the third I eliminate as a problem because the captain (Alaska Airlines) picked his butt up out of the cockpit and ran up the jetway last minute - appologized to me for not knowing that dispatchers were allowed, and welcomed me aboard. Nuf said.

 

[dispatchguy]

If you need a NWA jumpseat committee chairman contact, PM me - I know the ALPA vice-chair of the JS committee, who is the NWA MEC JS Committee Chairman.

I know for a fact that, at NWA, the dispatchers union controls the jumpseat access - and to be put onto the list in the NWA FOM for NWA jumpseat access; I had a contact at NWA DX a few years ago, but I dont know if he is still a good contact regarding jumpseat access.

 

[XPOO]

My only problem with Southwest, which I really loved jumpseating on, is that they wont allow dispatchers on at all now without being in CASS. Not even to sit in the back of the aircraft in an open cabin seat like before CASS was implemented. However, Flight Attendants, who are not part of CASS, can jumpseat and occupy a cabin seat. Its bassackwards. I guess I will just stick to non-rev on my own company's aircraft and their major partners.

 

[WalterSobchak]

I have had only one negative experience, with an ops agent at MCI, but the crews (and all the other ops agents I've met jumpseating) have been top notch.

Same here...would not even let me speak with the captain and claimed she "called dispatch and they said 'no way'". It was my last resort and had to buy a $300 ticket to get home. Not sure what the deal is in MCI. When I got back to work the next morning, I called Southwest Dispatch to see if something had changed in our agreement...they apologized profusely and said that no one had called regarding a jumpseater...and, if they had, the answer would have been "yes!". Of course, I was still out 300 bucks.

Why is it so hard to get past the gate agents? Because they don't know where to look for authorization, or the authorization is too vague. CASS was supposed to eliminate that, but there are still companies that require 'the reciprocal agreement' in addition to CASS. So they look us up in CASS but when they see DISPATCHER on our ID, they don't know what to do.

This has been my biggest problem. United has been the hardest in this aspect....however, I was almost once denied a the actual on DL by a gate agent in DFW that I knew personally...a woman I spent 2+ years working the counter next to hers...because she wasn't sure if dispatchers were allowed, even if we were in CASS. This is an agent with 20+ years with DL...she had no idea where to look and had never had a dispatcher ask for the jumpseat. And she is one of the best CS agents I know.

It would be nice if our respective companies would put out a customer service bulletin or something outlining dispatch jumpseat procedures, who is allowed up front, and where to find the agreements, etc.

 

[WalterSobchak]

oops...

 

[SKC]

United actually had been the easiest to deal with for me. I had to commute for almost a year between ICT and RFD, so I was transiting DEN and/or ORD nearly every week. DEN was the friendliest with most of the time getting upgrades to Econ Plus or First if I was in the back.

Only time I've been through MCI on WN was as a rev passenger. Had a quick connection from DAL and almost missed the departure out of MCI because of that crazy security set up they have.

 

[dispatchguy]

Or, as a part of the JS agreement between carriers, provide what the CRS reference is in their system for their agents to look up, when they are unsure.

Yeah, it could tick off the occasional agent, but you'd be helping the next guy when you tell them to lookup GG*DXJUMP or whatever.

 

[taysha]

FEDEX EXPRESS
CASS
The jumpseat is available to certificated flight deck crewmembers of airlines which are CASS participating and have the capability to send a digital photo. A reservation may be made 24 hours in advance of scheduled flight departure time and it required no later than 2 hours prior to scheduled flight departure time. There is no walk-up jumpseat availability. The offline jumpseat reservation number is available 24 hours per day/7 days per week: 866-357-5711. Required information will be airline, name, employee number and passport number. Clean, neat, casual attire is allowed: no shorts, T-shirts, or spiked heels. The number of jumpseats available varies by airplane size—two on the B727 and as many as eight on the A300. Schedule site:


**UNITED PARCEL SERVICE
CASS
A reciprocal agreement with the carrier is required to ride the jumpseat. An offline pilot may book a jumpseat as many as 10 days in advance by calling 1-800-228-2739/502-359-8849, option 4, then 1, then 1. Pick up a jumpseat form from Flight Operations and introduce yourself to the crew. You may have to catch a van to the aircraft in Louisville, so allow extra time. Ask the crew where you should stow your bags—each airplane is different. Please cancel your seat if your plans change. Casual attire or uniform is required, along with airline ID and airman certificate. All times and dates are Zulu time. Website

 

[DX Jake]

DISPATCH GUY-

First off, thanks for putting the new site together. It's pretty cool, and very easy. In response to your comment "maybe we can carry a CRS entry, IE; N*JUMP....... I think that's a great idea. I carry a printout from American that is a bulletin about Dispatchers Jumpseating... all it is in an N*. It's worth more than gold to me. Maybe in your website, you can put a section or point of reference for CSA's to access if there is an issue. Again, this is purely from a humble standpoint.

FLY JUMPSEAT-

I'm not bothered at all you posted... actually I'm glad you did. I learned a ****load from your post. I agree that the rules vary depending on who you ask. I am and will always be grateful for the privy to j/s, but it does suck finding out someone got left behind because someone didn't know what a dispatcher is. I will do my part at SWA if ANYONE here has a problem.

XPOO-

The statement you made that you can not ride on SWA if you are not in CASS is incorrect. I'm guessing you are at skywest. Skywest dispatchers do not have to be in CASS to ride SWA. They can not though ride up front. A seat must be available in the back. This goes for any other carrier we have an agreement with. I will gladly back my statement with a bulletin in the FOM if someone wants it. I will not post it here. PM me if anyone needs it. It clearly explains my aforementioned statement.

Walter-

Sorry about your deal in MCI. If this happens again, I encourage you call SWA dispatch. The rules are published clearer now at the desk you will be in contact with.

BCP7-

I'm still looking into what you posted....

happy holidays all--

 

[dispatchguy]

DISPATCH GUY-

First off, thanks for putting the new site together. It's pretty cool, and very easy. In response to your comment "maybe we can carry a CRS entry, IE; N*JUMP....... I think that's a great idea. I carry a printout from American that is a bulletin about Dispatchers Jumpseating... all it is in an N*. It's worth more than gold to me. Maybe in your website, you can put a section or point of reference for CSA's to access if there is an issue. Again, this is purely from a humble standpoint.

Deal, I shall do that. So, if anyone has jumpseat access DRS entries (GG*DXJUMP) and the like, I shall add that information to the respective carriers WDFF page.

Since the section already exists, I say just add the information to the "Dispatcher Jumpseating/CASS Applicability" section.

So, if you were looking at AirTran airways, after their blurb about being CASS, u could say:

* Airtran is CASS
* Airtran DX jumpseating: GG*JUMP/DISPATCHER
or whatever. So, if u have an issue with a gate agent about you (as a DX) jumpseating on a TRS flight, just tell the agent to please refer to GG*JUMP/DISPATCHER, and all should be taken care of.

Plus, if they have a list of carriers that are authorized to jumpseat, you could put the reference to that list on as well, plus directions for the agent to check dispatcher applicability.

When I get back to the Frozen North (now in Florida, where it will be 78F), I'll ask all of my WDFF accounts as to if they could add that information for their carriers.

 

[ss9e]

i dispatch for fedex. we've been trying to get put into cass for a long time. i think (just my opinion) we're not in cass because we don't want to reciprocate. i've never been denied a cabin jumpseat on any airline, whether we have an agreement with them or not. delta is the only carrier that will let us jumpseat internationally.

 

[XPOO]

DX Jake....

I know that the policy allows SkyWest to sit in the cabin on Southwest, its the tickets agents that don't know that. LOL!